Jeremy Burkholder

Called A Calvinist Jeremy Burkholder

Calvinism is not a religion, but an idea. It is the idea that God is sovereign in the hearts and minds of men, and has the ability and the authority to save some by giving them new hearts and indwelling them by His Holy Spirit, giving them eternal life. The Calvinist has not conceived this idea, but this idea has been conceived in the hearts and minds of the Calvinist by God through the counsel of Scripture. It is not the Calvinist's goal to elevate the teachings of a man named John Calvin, but to elevate the Person and work of Jesus Christ as taught in Scripture. It is inevitable that Calvinists be called Calvinists, for our enemies identify us by the teaching, we who are called Calvinists, hold in common unity. Though the world may call us Calvinists, we call ourselves lovers of Christ. Because of God we are now alive in Christ, who gave His life for us that we might live in Him forever. To be called a Calvinist is but a temporary affliction, for we know whom we have believed, and we know He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him. My hope is not that this book will point you to Calvin or myself, but to Christ. It is in Christ alone we can find everything we could ever desire. He is the source of all that is good and pure and holy. After some time I decided it was time for me to defend my faith according to the Word of God. If that meant people would call me a Calvinist, so be it. But I would challenge those same people to refute my beliefs by the Word of God. My goal in this book is not to foster animosity, but to generate thoughtful discussion. What does the Bible actually say about election, predestination, faith, works, grace, law etc.? These are all questions I tackle in this book. And hopefully you will be strengthened and encouraged by my defense of what I believe.